W. Pa. coal mine closed during falling rock probe

APOLLO – A Western Pennsylvania coal mine remained closed while federal and state agencies investigate why a rock fell from a support pillar, injuring two miners.

The collapse happened Monday afternoon at the Tracy Lynne mine in Kiskiminetas Township, about 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

The mine is operated by Rosebud Mining of Kittanning, whose vice president Jim Barker says will remain closed for “a day or two” while officials with the state Bureau of Mine Safety, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Mine Safety Health Administration investigate.

DEP officials say a nearly 4-foot section of rock fell from the ceiling, injuring one miner’s knee and the other’s back.

Officials have yet to identify the victims who were working near a crawl space that was only 4-feet high when the rock fell about 6 p.m.

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